Jeff Dunham

Jeffrey Dunham is a ventriloquist, stand-up comedian, and actor who has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry through his television appearances, comedy specials, and live performances. His work has appeared on numerous shows, including "The Tonight Show" with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, "Late Show with David Letterman," "Comedy Central Presents," and "Sonny With a Chance." Dunham has become well-known for his top-rated specials on Comedy Central such as "Jeff Dunham: Arguing with Myself," "Jeff Dunham: Spark of Insanity," "Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special," "Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos," "Jeff Dunham: Minding the Monsters," and "Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map." Additionally, his series "The Jeff Dunham Show" aired on the network in 2009. He has also released two Netflix specials: "Jeff Dunham: Beside Himself" and "Jeff Dunham: Relative Disaster."

Dunham's unique ventriloquism skills and his array of distinct puppet characters, including Walter, Peanut, and José Jalapeño on a stick, have distinguished his performances. His character-driven comedy, described by Time as featuring "politically incorrect, gratuitously insulting and ill-tempered" personas, has been instrumental in reviving interest in ventriloquism, a craft he has promoted significantly. Beyond his television specials, Dunham has been recognized for his extensive touring schedule, performing dates across various venues globally, ranging from comedy clubs to sold-out arenas, making him a major live draw.

According to concert industry publication Pollstar, Dunham has been the top-grossing standup act in North America and is also highly successful in Europe. Forbes has highlighted him as one of the top-earning comedians, and he achieved a Guinness World Record for "Most tickets sold for a stand-up comedy tour" with his "Spark of Insanity" tour. His influence extends beyond live performances; his autobiography "All By My Selves: Walter, Peanut, Achmed and Me" has been well-received, landing on the New York Times bestseller list. Furthermore, Dunham's comedic talent and voice have also found their way into film, notably lending his voice to the 2014 animated movie "Nut Job."